Starting with the lightest colour at the bottom ink bands of colour across the card ensuring you blend the colours into each other.

TIP – when you have created your bands of colour use the lighter colour below to blend into the darker colour above. Always apply the colour lightly to start with.

Stage 3 – Ink the strip for the banner using the same inks, but work fro the centre out

Stage 4 – Tear a piece of card or paper into peaks randomly to create the mountain template. Place the template over the card and use one of the darker colours to create the mountains. We used the Stormy Sky and a little Ground Espresso for the peaks.

Stage 5 -Choose a DL Silhouette Image and darker Distress Oxide. On our sample card we have used Ground Espresso and then used detail clear embossing powder

Stage 6 -Choose one of the banner stamps and sentiment stamps to create the words. Cut this out and shape slightly and the ends.

Stage 7 – if you wish you can cut the scene layer into 3 or 4 sections as per our sample card.

Our main sample card is Decadent Bamboo and the Dandelion Daydreams Stamp.

(Made by Sue)

Stage 1 – cut out all the layers and die cut shapes as below:

Base Card – 21cm x 21cm

Layer 1 – 20.5cm x 20.5cm (Misted)

Layer 2 – 20cm x 20cm (Embossed)

Die Cuts:

Double Stitched Hexagons to create Wide and Thin frames. (The off cut from the thin frame is used for the image)

Orange Blossom Complete Petals

Various Leaf Die

Stage 2 – Choose your aperture stencil set for the main image and position the full part over the appropriate hexagon layer. (stick down with scotch tape on the back). Use an anti-static dust bag to wipe over the card as this stops the embossing powder sticking. Apply Perfect Medium to your stamp quite heavily and stamp your image through the aperture. Apply the Pearl Lustre Embossing Embossing Powder and tap off the excess. Heat the powder to set and don’t worry about any excess powder at this stage. Leave to cool for a few minutes, then gently wipe over with a soft tumble dryer sheet to remove the excess powder.

Stage 3 – For the flowers effect on our sample card use the Mica Powder to paint the centre of the flowers with a water brush. Other options include wetting your flowers and tapping the Mica Powder onto them; leave to dry and then spray mist.

After this we have misted the flowers again.

Stage 4 – Ink mist the appropriate layer and thin frame using a large box to place the layers into. Then place the centre solid piece of the aperture stencil over the stamped image and mist over this image to create the frame.

Stage 5 – shape the flowers and assemble the layers. We have only lifted the wide frame on foam tape; everything else is stuck flat.

Other sample cards….

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Here’s what we used with links the website if you want to purchase any of the products….

Stage 2 – Choose a stencil and two coordinating colours of crackle paste. Apply the lighter colour first, but only in small sections. Then apply a smaller amount of the darker colours and merge into the lighter colour slightly. Set aside to dry.

Stage 3 – Ink the background layer with three different colours of Distress Oxide. Take time to blend them smoothly into each other and apply lightly top start with. We have used a circle die to create the moon and held it in place whilst we inked. We then splashed water onto the background.

Stage 4 – Ink a strip of card in the same colours to create the tag. Choose a tag shape and stamp with the Versafine. Then choose a matching sentiment and stamp.

Stage 5 – choose your DL Silhouette Stamp for the background layer. You will need to lift this up from the bottom of the card to make sure you can see the image behind the frame. We used Versafine again and a stamping platform just in case we missed a bit! We rubbed Moonlight Silver over the moon to create the shimmery effect.

Stage 5 – Assemble the layers, using foam tape to lift the frame. We also rubbed Luna over the crackle paste.

Stage 3 – colour the snowflakes or poinsettia die cuts. We have made our snowflakes shiny by pressing them into perfect medium and covering with clear embossing powder then heat.

Stage 4 – choose a DL Collage stamp and ink up with two distress inks colours. Press very firmly to ensure even coverage or use a stamping platform. Some of our Crafter’s then covered the image with clear embossing powder and heat set.

Like this:

This card is made using Phills DL Collage Stamps, 8×8 Stencils, Clear Texture Paste and Shimmer Shakers. The dies we have used are Sue Wilson’s Mosaic Bauble Background, Delicate Daisies and Splendid Swirls.

Stage 2 – choose an 8×8 stencil and two coordinating Shimmer Shakers. Apply the clear texture paste through the stencil and tap over the shimmer shakers whilst the stencil is still in place. Remove the stencil and add more shaker if needed. Set aside to dry.

Stage 3 – use the same two shimmer shakers and colour the plain outer frame and delicate daisies. Set aside to dry

Like this:

It’s funny isn’t it,.. how we think we can’t do something,.. until we have a go. (this is a long post, but hey, it’s the first one I’ve done for ages! ha ha)

That’s just like me and ‘mixed media’,.. I NEVER thought it would be ‘my thing’, although I do use lots of different products in my card making like paints, waxes, ink misters, pastes and so on… and there are no rules that say ‘mixed media’ has to be dark and gloomy,.. which you’ll never really see from me,.. even when I do my collage stamps,.. they’re pretty ha ha

So, I’m going to take you on a little mixed media journey with me, as I learn how to apply all the skills I already have (and learn new ones!) into what we call ‘mixed media’, but done my way.

Mixed Media – in my mind, is quite simply using different textures, products, materials, techniques and styles to create something unique.. there’s no right or wrong, just what you want it to be,.. for me,.. that’s pretty 🙂

I have created 3 canvasses now, two that I created for my Crafternoon Tea Workshops in our Nottingham and Sheffield Honeypot Crafts stores and one that I finished yesterday, that I have lovingly spent a long time getting right (it will be part of my festive dining room decoration for years to come!)

You can see my Crafternoon Tea Workshop ones over on My Pinterest page, these are 8×8 canvasses, which felt ‘safe’ to start with as it’s my favourite size of card!

This one I’m going to show you is a 20″ x 12″ canvas,.. see, I got brave after the first two and went bigger!

I found that preparation really is key, getting the base textures right and planning (you know I like to be organised!) my embellishments etc

I have two textures on my base, one created from Soft White Texture Paste (absolute must have)(the woody look, done first) and the other from our White Crackle Paste (added after), here’s a little close up of them both..

Once both layers were dry, I painted with White Gesso – twice, to make sure it was covered thoroughly 🙂

You will also notice the fab little white balls, these are artsy stones by Crafters Companion and fab for adding texture, even easier to paint your chosen colour! These were dropped into the texture paste when it was still wet so that they set into it as it dried,.. I did lose a few on the painting stage, but it didn’t matter 🙂

Then came the familiar part,.. die cutting loads (as you’d expect from me) of poinsettias,.. I used one of my older Spellbinders sets as it gives me a single petal that I can build up to make the large poinsettia in the middle..

I’ve used my own brand pearls (love these!) for the centres of my poinsettias and gave the red pearls a little whitewash too 🙂

Now, and I will admit this, I am slightly (ok, not slightly) addicted to the air dry clay and moulds, which is how I created the baubles and holly and letters for this project.. it’s amazing! Honestly, if you have never tried it, please treat yourself to a pack of clay and a mould and have a go,.. it’s so easy and they are so light!

So, clearly I had fun with the moulds, but more importantly, it meant I could use our Cosmic Shimmer Chalk paints to make them whatever colour I wanted.

For the letters, I painted them red and washed some white over that after they had dried,.. the white baubles are also painted white, then I made a pva glue wash (water and glue mix), painted them with this, then covered them in Diamond Frost glitter,.. by doing this, it meant I kept all the detail of the holly leaves 🙂

Now, you wouldn’t believe how much trouble I had finding the pine cones!, but I did,… on the park where we walk Rufus ha ha, these were given a light whitewash too with the white gesso (must have!) as opposed to chalk paint (it’s just a little bit stronger in colour)

The layout took some getting right,.. I did (if I’m honest) have to make 5 more poinsettias!) and then just played around until I was happy where everything went, then stuck everyhthing on (little tip for you – take a photo of your layout before you start sticking it together, you can check the photo as you go along)

Stage 1 – cut out all the layers and die cut pieces needed as follows:

Base Card – 21 x 15

Layer 1 – 20.5cm x 14.5cm (inked)

Layer 2 – 20cm x 14cm (embossed)

Sue Wilson dies:

Double Pierced Ovals Set A

Orange Blossom Petals

Whimsical Leaves

Stage 2 – choose two coordinating Distress Oxide Ink Colours. Our sample card uses Ripe Persimmon and Tea Dye. Using a Smoothie, ink the 1st layer and middle oval alternately with the two colours. Ink your flowers in the lightest of your two colours. On our cards we have also added colour to the leaves, but have kept it quite pale.

Stage 3 – choose a rubber background stamp and ink alternately with the two colours onto the largest oval, making sure you come in enough. Our sample card uses Leafy Background Stamp.

Like this:

Here is a card made at by crafters at our regular workshops. Remember, all our featured cards are made by people from our classes.

It uses Phill’s new aperture stencils with normal Distress Inks and his DL Verse Collection on the inside and outside of the card. The dies we have used are Sue Wilson Starlight Daisy and Curly Fern.

This is a simple, but lovely card!

Stage 1 – cut out all the layers and die cut shapes needed as below

Base Card – 19cm x 19cm

Black Layer x 2 – 18cm x 18cm

White Layer x 2 – 17cm x 17cm

Sue Wilson Dies:

Starlight Daisy – all three flowers

Curly Fern

Stage 2 – choose three Distress Ink colours and one of the aperture stencil shapes. On our main card we have used the Oval Aperture. Use Scotch Tape to hold the Aperture Stencil in place on the white card layer. Start with the middle colour first and ink across the aperture, taking off the excess ink, and blending the colour towards the upper and lower sections a little. Then use the other colours and blend towards the middle ensuring that the colours overlap to keep the edges soft.

On our sample card we have then splashed the ink with water to add some texture and interest to the background. If you do this make sure it is really dry before you stamp the image and verse.

TIPS – If you start your blending off the aperture this prevents any hard lines from the smoothie. Colour the inside aperture much paler than the front as this will have a verse stamped on it and we need to read it! We have also used the darker colour on the bottom section so that we can see the image if we accidentally ink too dark!

Stage 3 – colour the flowers in the same three colours.

Stage 4 – Stamp your chosen image slightly off the aperture shape with Archival Jet Black Ink. This means we can paint inside the image if we need to. We have used Chocolate Baroque or Lavinia Stamps on our cards. Then stamp the sentiment on the front and matching verse on the inside aperture.

TIP – to paint the image tap the ink pad onto a blending mat and pick up the colours with a waterbrush. On our main sample we have continued the same colour from the aperture into the image.

Stage 5 – re-apply the aperture over the shape. You then have two options… 1 – you can go around the aperture with a black fine liner pen or 2 – go around the aperture with a quickie glue pen, remove them stencil and add Diamond Frost Glitter.

Stage 6 – assemble your layers and flowers.

Card Samples

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Here’s what we used with links to the website if you wish to purchase any of the products….